Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

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Veterans and Hepatitis C

Lately, there has been increased discussion about hepatitis C. There should be, and everyone who is at risk for this insidious and dangerous disease ought to be aware of how it can affect them. Additionally, veterans have a higher risk of carrying the disease than the general population.

First, a little basic information about this condition. There are six different types of hepatitis. Hepatitis is a group of viral liver diseases, usually borne by blood. Hepatitis A and B have been around for years, but are treatable. In fact, in most cases of infection by hepatitis A or B, the body is able to fight off the infection without treatment. Hepatitis C is different and is the most serious form of this disease.

Hepatitis C is most often transmitted in blood. Risk factors for contracting the condition usually involve receiving or handling blood or blood products. Since 1992, all blood is tested for hepatitis and is safe for this disease. However, anyone who received a blood transfusion prior to 1992 can be at risk. Other risk factors include people who worked in the medical profession and handled blood, hemodialysis patients, those who have gotten tattoos and body piercing, and those who have engaged in unprotected sexual relations with multiple partners. A significant number of people cannot identify how they contracted the virus. It is not spread by hugging, shaking hands, preparing food or swimming in a pool.

Veterans, especially Viet Nam veterans, have higher instances of infection. Hepatitis C can lay dormant for many years, and not display any symptoms for as long as twenty to thirty years or more. Symptoms, when they do occur, are vague, flu like symptoms that are not usually specific to hepatitis. Veterans who received blood transfusions or who worked around blood seem to be at greatest risk.

All types of hepatitis are diagnosed by a blood test. If you are identified by one of the risk factors, you should ask your doctor to perform a blood test for hepatitis. When hepatitis C becomes active, it affects the liver and can lead to cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Hepatitis C is the leading cause for liver transplants in the United States. However, if caught early and treated aggressively, it can often be resolved without need for a transplant.

The good news in all this is that the U.S. Department of Veterans� Affairs (VA) is in front of this issue and has committed to caring for veterans who have contracted the disease while in the service. The VA will screen veterans who are in the risk categories for the disease and treat those veterans who can benefit from the treatment. Treatment is usually with interferon, or a combination of interferon and rebetron. Length of treatment can vary, and results can range from complete remission to partial suppression of the disease process, to no impact at all. As in so many diseases, early detection and treatment gives the best results.

The Florida Department of Veterans� Affairs is actively engaged in a program to increase awareness among Florida�s veterans about this disease and urge them to get a screening for it if they believe that they have one of the risk factors. Contact your private physician or the VA Health Care Facility nearest you if you questions or concerns.

A good source of information about Hepatitis C is Veterans Aimed Toward Awareness. Their website is at http://208.147.248.63/ or press the logo below.